AUSTRALIA: The National Australia Bank’s business confidence index rose
four points to +19 in February, a level last recorded in late 2009 and
before that only in May 2002, the data compiler said. NAB said its
business conditions index improved rose five points to +8, with trading
conditions and profitability both recording +5. The compiler noted,
however, that there was little sign of a sustained recovery in business
capital expenditure, with the index trending up slightly in February.
Credit conditions tightened marginally, with the difficulty in finding
finance index at +7 points (+4 in January). Those not requiring finance
declined to 36%, well down from January (47%) but in line with the end
of last year.